The New York Giants didn’t wait around to start slashing the roster. Hours after a dominant preseason finale, Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll made it clear: an undefeated preseason and good energy weren’t going to save anyone. And judging by the names hitting the cut list, not even the best preseason tape could force their hand.
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From two-way players to touchdown leaders to camp risers who looked like roster locks, nobody was safe. The front office set the tone early, and by Tuesday afternoon, the list of casualties was already turning heads. Not just because of who got cut, but how decisive it all was. There's a reason why it's one of the most emotional days of the football calendar.
Some of these names still might find their way back on the practice squad. But that won’t make the decisions any less brutal in the moment. These were the most surprising cuts of the day, and the ones that left fans scratching their heads as the countdown to 53 ticked away.
3 biggest surprises from Giants' ruthless roster cut day
1. Elijah Chatman got the axe
Chatman was supposed to be the fun one. He was undersized, versatile, physical, and clearly earned the staff’s trust... at least enough to take first-team defensive reps and moonlight at fullback. But in a move that feels like a classic numbers game gone sideways, the G-Men let him go.
He might still land on the practice squad, but his release was the first true shocker of the day. When a guy breaks facemasks in goal-line drills, gets featured on both sides of the ball, and still doesn’t make the team, it says more about how deep this roster has gotten and how ruthless the staff is willing to be when putting together who it thinks gives them the best chance at winning.
2. NFL preseason TD leader went bye-bye
Greg Dulcich had one job: be a reliable pass catcher and put six on the board. He did the latter better than anyone in the NFL this summer. The former Bronco was clearly in sync with rookie QB Jaxson Dart, catching two of his three scores from the rookie, and making it look easy. But even with the best receiving stats of the tight end room, he didn’t survive the cut.
It’s a tight position group, and Dulcich might’ve just been the odd man out. His injury history didn’t help, and Big Blue clearly wanted to give rookie seventh-rounder Thomas Fidone II a shot.
3. Giants wasted no time cutting Montrell Washington
Montrell Washington had the kind of camp you root for. Underdog energy, strong special teams presence, and real flashes on offense. But instead of even letting the ink dry on the preseason finale, New York moved on like it never happened. Seemingly no deliberation. Just a clean cut.
It’s tough because Washington did enough to warrant a conversation and maybe even a spot. But with Beaux Collins breaking out and a muffed punt against the Patriots, he couldn't make up for it. He’ll probably end up on someone’s practice squad, but the window in New York closed real fast.